Tanzania renews efforts to control noise, vibration in cities
DAR ES SALAAM: THE National Environment Management Council (NEMC) has renewed efforts to control environmental pollution caused by noise and vibrations following an increase in complaints in both urban and rural areas.
Addressing media outlets earlier today, November 28, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, NEMC’s Manager for Legal Compliance, Hamadi Taimuru, stated that noise pollution remains a major challenge to the health and well-being of citizens due to entertainment activities, construction, businesses, and the use of sound equipment that violates legal limits.
According to the Manager, the Environmental Management law and the 2015 Noise and Vibration Control Regulations set specific noise limits for residential, commercial, industrial, and sensitive areas such as hospitals and schools, along with procedures for issuing permits for activities that may generate high noise levels.
Elaborating, he said that the long-term effects of excessive noise include hearing loss, stress, high blood pressure, and reduced concentration among schoolchildren, making noise control essential for protecting public health.
ALSO READ: NEMC embarks on Pillar Three for environmental conservation, climate change resilience
Additionally, he outlined several challenges in implementing the regulations, including the shortage of noise-measuring equipment in Local Government Authorities, low public awareness of the effects of noise pollution, and non-compliance with laws and quiet hours by some businesses and entertainment venues.
Furthermore, he said that the permitted noise levels are, 70 dBA (day) and 60 dBA (night) for industrial areas, 50 dBA (day) and 35 dBA (night) for residential areas, 60 dBA (day) and 50 dBA (night) for residential areas with small industries, 55 dBA (day) and 45 dBA (night) for mixed residential, commercial, and entertainment areas and 45 dBA (day) and 35 dBA (night) for hospitals, schools, conference halls, and recreational areas.
Moreover, he said that to enhance enforcement, it is important for cooperation among OSHA, the Police, BASATA, Local Government Authorities, houses of worship, and entertainment venue owners in fulfilling their responsibilities, including overseeing permits, providing education, ensuring proper use of sound equipment, and conducting regular inspections.
ALSO READ: NEMC enhances cooperation with environmental stakeholders at COP30
“Noise-level mapping, public awareness campaigns, and simple complaint-reporting systems are important initiatives that need strengthening,” he said.
Additionally, Mr Taimuru said Tanzania has a robust legal framework for controlling noise and vibrations, and that collaboration among all stakeholders, the private sector, public institutions, and citizens is vital for protecting health, peace, and community well-being.
Think of implementimg an order to control loud sound of bodaboda drivers playing music instruments. The practice is bery disrurbing. I understand, if any measure is communicated through various channels, including TV, radio and news papers, this problem will be minimized. At least do something.
I have been wondering, is this country has no laws and regulations on noise and vibration control! Small businesse with public addressing sounds is every where especially in Dar es
Salaam. NEMC need to be serious on this. Please control noise.
With regard to noise pollution I call upon NEMC in collaboration with the police to curb the use of motor cycles and vehicles with deliberately sawn-off exhaust pipes which emit noise levels well above the allowed dbA in public places. These are a menace especially in urban areas like Dar es salaam where they are very prevalent and pose a serious health risk to all and sundry, in particular to people with high blood pressure and other medical conditions.
Traffic police need to be sensiitised on this noise pollution issue and treat it with the seriousness that they treat other traffic offences. Besides this is an offence that comes screaming loud, you can’t miss it.
Masoka kama mbagala kariakoo tandika kuna kettle sana vipaza sauti kero kubwa hatuweziongea na simu wa hatusikilizani sometimes inakulazimu uongee kwa sauti kubwa ili mtu akusikie
Noise is such a major problem in Tanzania. The grinders used commonly by welders and aluminium technicians and the brick machines and music played in and outside the bars, liquor stores, and by preachers make lives of millions of people worthless. Making us question, is the world really gorverned by humans?
At this extent, NEMC should rise up seriously and with immediate effect to apply protective measures with the solution being: those whose businesses cause noise and bad smells should be working indoors where sound proofs are installed, and if possible relocate the so called fundi aluminum, welding, and bricks (tofali makers) in industrial areas where they will have to work confined in warehouses. Simple as that.
Relying on reports by locals may not be that effective due to the fear of their safety.
Noise pollution and health hazards are both disturbing on many Dar cities. People repair cars on the streets, spray paintings, and leave lots of oil patches and car parts left from the cars, and that is on just made new pavements around Karume stadium area as a whole.
This need to be stopped too.
Kelele zimezidi kariakoo hatuna raha ya kukaa,hata madukani hatuelewani na wateja,wanapita na magari ,hata kwa kutembea wanahubiri dining kupitia maspika makubw hawaksmatwi tunstoa tarrifa kakini hakuna msaada majumbani mpaka maximisation zinatetemeka ,tunaomba NEMEC,mje kututembelea sis wakazi wa mtaa wa swahili/mchikichi, kuna wazee wana BP,ns magonjwa nk.mfuatilieni hao,jiji wa aowapa vibali kwa maslahu yao ya kula hela.ahsante na tunaomba hilo ifuatiliwe sio kuongea tu mitandaoni.
In a quiet side of arusha, we got a church that prays next door, mostly composed of chanting, singing, shouting, screaming and a lot of musical playbacks, focused on using speakers at deafening limits, dead centre of a residential and small business site
School days were hectic
for 20years now, couldn’t study or sleep well even after requesting sound proof windows for their hall (They leave them open due to overcrowding they said)
They lifted the roof so the hall is more of an open theatre than a closed church and somehow the volume was increased (better speakers?) our windows rattle, can’t talk to people over the phone or in real time without shouting yourselves like maniacs at home
There was a schedule of 10am to 1pm sessions thrice a week but now we noticed extra maintenance and prayers timed with musical instruments testing at 11pm, 3am, 5am and not to forget screaming to remove the devils from individuals at the same time 🙁
I respect religious beliefs though would really appreciate some understanding from a neighbours perspective especially since we are just next door and have requested multiple times of some way to help both sides
To add to that, the amount of litter(diapers and extra contents*) that the worshippers leave along our wall and road side is disgustingly too much to clean up after
Our front gate gets overcrowded with people to a point we just don’t enter the house until two hours later when the machinga and families head home(weekdays and weekends)
For 19yrs this is going on
And nobody seems to care, or understand the troubles effect… from the katibu wa kata/mwenyekiti to the neighbours themselves :/
Hope some help is possible out there
Cause I know we have amazing people in Tanzania and we are very understanding and helpful amongst ourselves and others